SAINT LEO, Fla. – The #18 Saint Leo University softball team got a taste of what NCAA South Regional tournament play could look like, facing #10 Valdosta State Wednesday night.  The Lions nearly became the first team to sweep the Blazers this season before splitting the twinbill with the Red & White, winning the first game 3-1 before dropping a heartbreaker in extra innings in the second game 6-2 at University Softball Stadium.
 
Game One: #18 SLU 3, #10 VSU 1
In the teams' first meeting in over a decade, Saint Leo (28-5, 10-2 SSC) broke a four-game hold by Valdosta State (25-5, 13-2 GSC).  The contest primarily became a pitching duel between two of the most elite pitchers in the South region.  Junior Kayla Betts (13-1) pitched a full game, allowing one run off five hits and striking out seven, as VSU's Samantha Richards (19-2) gave up seven hits and three runs while fanning four.
 
Freshman outfielder Bianca Polistina and Junior infielder Alyssa Perez each went 2-for-3 at the dish, with Polistina tacking on one RBI.
 
The Lions scored the first run in the fourth inning, as hits from Perez and Sophomore infielder Shyanne Waller set up a sacrifice fly from Fifth-year Kendall Crean.  The Green & Gold extended the lead in the next inning off a hit from Freshman infielder Briana Neal to bring in Sophomore outfielder Hope Epps for the 2-0 score line.
 
Before Saint Leo could put the contest away, Valdosta State found its way on the scoreboard by doing what the team does best: home runs; a moon blast by VSU's Jayme Prandine cut the deficit 2-1 in the sixth.  The home run was the first given up by Betts this season.
 
In the inning's bottom half, the Lions made up for home run; Freshman outfielder Grace Dunsworth pinch ran for Perez following a leadoff single and scored off a RBI double from Polistina to put the Green & Gold lead back to two (3-1).
 
Betts finished the VSU hitting unit in five at-bats to preserve the 3-1 win.
 
Game Two: #10 VSU 6, #18 SLU 2 – 9 inn.
While the Lions recorded eight hits in the contest, the struggle to capitalize on runs would ultimately cost the team a chance at a doubleheader sweep.
 
Polistina had another good showing at the plate, hitting 2-for-4 as did Epps.
 
Junior pitcher Morgan Epps started in the circle before Betts and Freshman utility Haleigh Thomas saw time on the clay.
 
After Valdosta State took a 1-0 lead, Saint Leo attempted to tie the game in the bottom of the second, but the Blazers' putout at home coupled with a flyout left the bases loaded for the Green & Gold. 
 
Following another run for VSU to extend its lead 2-0, Saint Leo responded with two runs in the third inning, as hits from Neal and Fifth-year outfielder Bayley Williams along with a pair of fielding errors from the Blazers allowed the Lions to tie the game 2-2.
 
Saint Leo had another chance to take the lead, quickly loading the bases in the fourth with no outs before Valdosta State pitcher Madison Lumpp regrouped to fan two and fly out another on the next three at-bats to escape a jam.
 
In the sixth inning, Shannon was able to put away two before Betts entered the game with runners on first and third to record another strikeout to keep the game deadlocked 2-2.
 
Valdosta State followed suit, bringing back its Ace in Richards for another pitching showdown that forced the game into extra innings.
 
In the ninth inning, the Lions were unable to contain the nation's home run leader, as VSU produced a pair of Blazer blasts that resulted in a 6-2 lead.  The Green & Gold attempted to keep the game alive past nine, but Valdosta State held off any attempts of a Saint Leo and evened the day with a 6-2 win.
 
The Lions head to Lakeland, Fla. Friday to begin a Sunshine State Conference three-game series against Florida Southern.  First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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